Saturday, December 4, 2010

UPDATE 12/5: I guess I was a little early with my homage. Sid knocked in two more last night as the Penguins dismantled the Blue Jackets 7-2. Here is what Columbus defenseman Mike Commodore had to say about Crosby:

We don't see him much anymore, which is great. Thank God. He can stay in the east. We'll stay in the west. He's the best player in the league. It's got to be fun to watch. I know it's not fun for us to play against. The reason why he's the best player in the world--yea, he's talented, yea he's skilled, but there's other guys who are just as talented and skilled as he is--but it's determination. It's determination on the puck. He never gives up on a puck. He works hard on the puck and that's why he's the best in the world.

Pretty much sums it up.
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On Wednesday December 1, Sidney Crosby was named the NHL Player of the Month for the month of November. Sid had 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists) in 14 games and finished the month with an active 13-game point streak, the longest in the league this season and the third-longest of his career.

On Thursday Sid went out and got a start on being player of the month for December as well. He recorded the seventh hat trick of his career and his second in three games as the Penguins beat the Atlanta Thrashers 3-2. It was also Sid's first-ever natural hat trick, scoring three in succession. The goals showed off Crosby's amazing arsenal. The first came on a tough pass that, uncharacteristically he didn't handle cleanly. After whiffing a quick wrister, Sid stickhandled and chipped the puck over the goalie while gliding away from the net. All in about a second and a half. The second was a clean breakaway. Sid went to the backhand. Watch how quickly he slotted the puck between the goalie's legs after he got him moving. The third just might be the best tip you will ever see. After watching it try getting your hands in position and see if you can visualize what he actually did. Then think about doing it. With a slapshot coming at you waist high. While you are facing the other direction.

Hard to imagine that a guy who has won a Stanley Cup, a gold medal, the league MVP, been named the youngest team captain ever, is the face of the league and just was named Player of the Month may be underrated. Well, if he isn't universally recognized as the best player in the world, then he is.

Enjoy the highlights and make sure you are paying attention when the Penguins play. Even the greatest players don't play at this consistently high level very often.